New Whites manager Garry Monk has brought in a number of new faces already this summer and more could follow before the transfer window closes later this summer. And with so many new arrivals it is vital they settle quickly, meaning that team bonding off the field is just as important as the training currently happening on it.

Leeds are currently in Ireland on a pre-season training camp and along with the senior stars and new arrivals are a number of under-21 players hoping to impress Monk in the days ahead.

One of those is defender Paul McKay, who arrived at Elland Road with his brother Jack last season and has been impressing for the second string ever since.

McKay is a 19-year-old defender yet it was away from the training field that he caught Bamba’s eye earlier this month, during a trip to a shooting grounds.

“Paul McKay did very well,” his fellow centre-back told leedsunited.com. “I think it is as important as a training session, getting the group together and having a bit of fun after a difficult week.”

Bamba will know he has a big season ahead as he attempts to help Leeds earn promotion back to the Premier League in Monk’s first year at the helm. And while McKay’s chances may be sparse, this summer could ultimately prove invaluable to him as he aims to follow in the Ivorian’s footsteps.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. Shortly after, in a somewhat leftfield move, he began working at a secondary school in Kent. After eight years – the last four of which were spent as Head of Sixth Form – he began to write full-time, combining his love of football with his passion for the written word.Alongside his work for HITC Sport, he also writes film reviews for HITC Lifestyle… along with the odd music interview when fate allows.